Portrait photos look stunning because of the sharp features of the model in front of a hazy background. But it takes a lot of skill and experience to take the perfect portrait shot. Sure, some of the latest smartphones come with a portrait-shot feature in their cameras, but you still need to get the angles and lighting right. A good portrait is a combination of various things: lighting, location, creativity, and many more things. How does each of these factors play a role in portrait photography? Here are some of the best portrait shots of 2020 created by the amazing artists from our LOOKSLIKEFILM community.

Why is portrait photography important?

Is it compulsory to learn portrait photography to become a photographer? No. Is it essential to learn portrait photography to become a photographer? Yes. Portrait photography gives you a vast opportunity to capture emotions. Eyes speak a thousand words. And that’s one of the most important aspects of portrait photography. Your photo will speak a thousand words without you writing a paragraph about it.

Yes, there are tons of other photography genres that you can explore, but don’t miss out on portraits. You can use its skill in wildlife photography and abstract photography because both involve understanding how light and background can make your photo look better. Moreover, portrait shots establish a connection between the photographer and the viewer. It’s the magic of how different viewers interpret your portrait photos that make this photography genre so essential to grasp.

Abigail Handy – www.lightandfreefolk.pic-time.com/portfolio

Abul Shah – www.graciousphotography.com

Alexia Righetti – www.alexiarighetti.co

Andrea Laurenza – www.cipos.it

April Lawrence – www.aprilameliaphotography.com

Ashley Coccia Wallace – www.ashleywallacephoto.com

Brittany Martinez – www.facebook.com/brittanymartinezx

Caragh Isla Camack – www.caraghislaphoto.com

Chinelle Rojas – www.chinellero.com

Chuy Gaytan – www.facebook.com/Chuy

Cosmin Lautar – www.facebook.com/Koss-Photography

Cristina Venedict – www.cristinavenedict.ro

Danielle Fobar – www.danifobar.com

Dannielle Hale – www.facebook.com/dannicollins89

Darla Winn – www.darlawinnphotography.com

Diane Villadsen – www.dvilladsenphotography.com

Diego Baptista – www.diegobaptista.com

Edyta Chrzaszcz – www.facebook.com/edyta.chrzaszcz.1

Erin Falkenham – www.erinfalkenham.com

Hanna Thimsen – www.relicphotographic.com

Hannah McKernan – www.hannahmckernan.com

Jaymi Tillman – www.thetillmanphotography.com

Joanna Kustra – www.joannakustra.com

Jodye Sabatini – www.Jodyesabatiniphotography.com

Kate Whyte – www.instagram.com/katewhytephoto

Kerry Rainbird – www.facebook.com/kerryrainbird1

Larisa Andreea Gancea – www.instagram.com/larisagancea

Laurie Larson – www.laurieashleyphotography.com

LeAnna Campbell Azzolini – www.leannaazzoliniphoto.com

Lexi Clarke-Kent – www.instagram.com/lexilainephoto

Lexy Parks – www.lexyparksphotography.com

Louis Barr – www.louisbarrphotography.com

Madison Jones – www.outsidersstudio.com

Magdalena Skierska-Bieg – www.instagram.com/magdaskierska

Mario Eugnell Winston – www.instagram.com/Eugnell

Martin Krystynek – www.martinkrystynek.com

Martin Neuhof – www.instagram.com/martinneuhof

Meghan Cabrera – www.meghanlaurenphotography.com

Mika Lynn – www.thegreatestwonders.com

Olivia Joy Mayernick – www.instagram.com/thewildflower_collective

Olivia Konicka – www.oliviakonicka.com

Paulina Duczman – www.paulinaduczman.com

Pedro Lopes – www.pedrolopes.photo

Rachel Jordan – www.twolittlestarfish.co.nz

Rebecca Burt – www.rebeccaburtphotography.com

Robyn Geering – www.robyngeeringphotography.com

Head over to the Meridian website, and explore all the stunning presets and effects to give your images the final edit!

Robyn Marika Chubey – www.lifeofglow.com

Rudi Silbermann – www.silberstudio.co.za

Sarah Greene – www.sarahormiston.com

Sarah Nasser – www.instagram.com/sarahnasserphotography

Tom Denison – www.denisonphotography.com

Tomas Lazorik – www.instagram.com/t.lzrk

Tricia Victoria – www.triciavictoriaphotography.com

Vika Bogdanova – www.instagram.com/viktoriyabogdanovaphotography…

Xandrea Avonne – www.avonnephotography.com

Artists of the Year 2020 – Portrait Photos

The Artists of the year articles are a LOOKSLIKEFILM tradition for more than four years now. It is a series where we feature the work of the best photographers from our Facebook community. Their work received a lot of attention in our group and encouraged many of the 55.000 community members to show their love for the photo by giving it a ‘like.’

A great achievement

These images you see here and in our other Artists of the Year blog posts (the wedding portraits one for example), made it into the famous #LLF1000CLUB. It simply means that a photographer’s photo received at least one thousand Facebook likes in our group. It is not that easy to get those numbers, so we are happy to share this achievement by showcasing these stunning images from different photography fields in our series here. We hope you enjoy these articles!

If you are looking for a portrait photographer, head over to our “photographers near me” page. And for more inspiration, make sure to check out this collection of the best portraits in 2020, these 115 incredible portraits that will amaze you, these 191 outstanding portrait images of 2019, and these inspiring portrait images you will love.

The post 58 Stunning Portrait Photos By The Best Photographers Of 2020 appeared first on LOOKSLIKEFILM.

Black and white photography portraits // It’s time to share some beautiful photos with you, which we collected in our LLF group in the last couple month. Enjoy the collection!

Adam Kozlowski – www.timeofjoy.eu

Aga Andrews – www.aga-andrews.uk

Alax Matias – www.instagram.com/alaxmatias

Alexx Acor – www.instagram.com/alexxacor

Amanda White – www.dearmerakiphotography.com

Amber Rae Privizzini – www.privizzinispassionphotography.com

Ashley Marston – www.ashleymarstonbirthphotography.com

Bryden Giving – www.brydengivingphoto.com

Carl Fehres – www.carlfehres.com

Charlie Dahlin – www.instagram.com/dahlinphotography

Charlotte Margot Bergan – www.charlottemargot.com

Christine Kapuschinsky Johnson – www.Kapuschinsky.com

Esteban SoSa – www.estebansosa.com.mx

Faith Emery – www.madadventuresphotography.com

We recently launched our new Meridian website. Check out the stunning B&W-preset set by Jennifer Moher. And now, let’s continue with these stunning black and white photography portraits

Holger Nitschke – www.instagram.com/holger.nitschke

Jamie Eilts – www.instagram.com/jamieeilts

Janel Peyton – www.janelpeyton.com

Jgor Cavallina – www.twolittlebirdsphotography.com.au

Jonathan Stockton – www.jonathanstocktonphotography.com

Katt van den oever – www.meadowandashphotography.com

Lena Sabala – www.lenasabala.com

Marius Neag – www.instagram.com/marius.neag

Martin Krystynek – www.martinkrystynek.com

Check out the website of our friends from Pic-Time. And now, enjoy the last black and white photography portraits.

Marzena Hans – www.ajemstories.com

Meg Bethard – www.instagram.com/megsausted

Sevi Koch – www.sevikoch.de

Tim Dunk – www.timdunk.com

Tony Wodarck Photography – www.TonyWodarck.Com

Van Middleton – www.vanmiddleton.com

The end – What else do you need to know?

If you are currently looking for a photographer for your session, here’s the deal. Check out our “Photographers Near Me” list to find the perfect photographer with your preferred style! Head over and also check out our shortlist for the best Emotive Family Photographer for example. Additional to that see the best family photos from last year.

For more inspiration, make sure to check out this collection of 52 stunning black and white portraits, our stunning lightroom black and white presets, and these breathtaking black and white portraits you will fall in love with.

Black And White Photography Portraits

So, we hope you liked this selection of pictures created by our community. Are you a photographer? Also, did you hear about our new listing service eventually?

Sign up as a LLF Pro Member now and get listed immediately!

Therefore, LOOKSLIKEFILM is your most important daily inspiration when it comes to photography. Everything is created by our amazing artists from all over the world!  You should also check out our Facebook group and our Instagram feed above all.  Besides that, you can give us a follow on Pinterest as well.

The post Breathtaking Black & White Portraits You’ll Fall In Love With appeared first on LOOKSLIKEFILM.

After we have finished the Artist of the Year 2018 series, it is time to continue the Artist of the Month features in 2019 as well. We are proud to start with a bang and to introduce you to the outstanding work of Paulina Duczman. UK-based photographer Paulina has won multiple awards for her work. Just take a look through the images in this blog post here, and you will know why she is one of the best when it comes to portrait photography.

How old are you and where are you from?

I am 35 years old and originally from Poland, but I have been living in UK for the last 14 years.

Tell us a little bit about your life at the moment?

My life at the moment is absolutely crazy. I feel like I am catching up the past 30 years. I am a mother to 3 great kids age 5,9, and 11. That is already a full time job itself.

Also, I am running two businesses. One is a Photography business where I offer Fine Art sessions to my amazing clients around the world and the second one is a training business – I am an International Educator.

How did you end up being a photographer? 

Totally by a coincidence. My family and I were going on holiday (2014) and I decided that I didn’t want to take only mobile pictures. I needed a camera so I could print the photographs taken during that holiday.

I purchased a Nikon bridge camera. At that time,  I knew nothing about the photography so the basic kit was perfect. And… I fell in love with photography. There was no going back. It became my addiction. Photography is my heroine. I am not scared to admit it.

Don’t forget to join our LOOKSLIKEFILM group on Facebook. And now let’s go back to the amazing pictures by Paulina Duczman.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

Travelling. But not business travelling like I do now. Real travelling. Seeing the most amazing places in the world. I have got a special list.

What gear are you currently using?

I am a Nikon user: D5, D810, and D850. My favorite lenses: Nikon 105mm and 58mm. I also adore 35mm 1.4 sigma art.

Paulina, what advice would you give out to a new starting photographer?

Don’t be afraid of the critique but always look carefully who is this critique giving. Trust more to yourself and what you believe in. Invest in Marketing. Be clear about your branding.

Try to find the real YOU in your photography. This is the only way to be unique as there are no 2 identical people.

Did the LLF community change the way you see or shoot portraits, Fine Art etc.?

Absolutely. LLF is the most amazing group of people supporting each other and the quality of the work there is beyond amazing.

What plans do you have for 2019?

This year is filled with work and traveling. I have got some planned upgrades to my business that I cannot wait to show. Also, I promised myself I will balance my work-family life a bit more.

Paulina Duczman

So, we hope you like the work of Paulina Duczman. If you want to see our last AOTM, check out the feature about Henry Tieu too!

And, if you would love to have beautiful photos, here’s the deal. Check out our “Photographers Near Me” list to find the perfect photographer with your preferred style!

Are you a photographer? Also, did you hear about our new listing service eventually?

Sign up as a LLF Pro Member now and get listed immediately!

The post Paulina Duczman appeared first on LOOKSLIKEFILM.

It’s no surprise that portrait photography is one of the most popular fields of photography. There are no limits or rules when it comes to creating stunning portrait images. Specifically, it’s all about creating a snap that tells you about the person or the environment or a feeling. Portraits are about capturing a photo at a certain moment in the life of a person. The goal as a photographer is to tell their story through our photo.

Therefore, we would love to present you the best portrait images from LLF in 2018. Scroll through all the portrait images below and be sure to let us know which ones are your favorite. It’s granted that you won’t get bored by looking at these masterpieces. Besides, we are going to take a small look at how to create unique portraits that stick out from the mass.

Alexis Fernandez – www.instagram.com/mcp_photography_

Ariana Jordan Maddox – www.arianajordan.com

Brandon Hesson – www.brandonkeith.photo

Brigitte Duncan – www.facebook.com/brigitteduncanphotography

Brittany Hohenstein – www.facebook.com/BGHPhotography89

Camille Girard – www.camillegphotography.com

Carlee Melenko – www.cdaisyphotography.com

Christina Humphreys – www.facebook.com/christinavhumphreys

Diane Villadsen – www.dvilladsenphotography.com

Portrait Images – Be Creative

Challenge your inner self from time to time. Try different things out and follow your imagination! The imagination is your powerful tool to use, and all it takes it practice to make it grow even stronger! Of course, there will be some mistakes made, but that’s the way how to get those amazing portrait images in the end. We learn from those mistakes! Try to make some double exposures or some self-portraits, or try to create a portrait that goes with a certain feeling. Try a new approach while working with your editing software. You can create crazy stuff in Photoshop, so use it! There are no limits, no rules. Unleash your creativity and bring your imagination to life.

Emily Kaar – www.instagram.com/emilykaar

Fabian Rudack – www.fabianrudack.de

Hayley Dolson – www.instagram.com/hayleydolson

Jason Cox – www.jasoncoxphoto.com

jenna Mahr – www.jennamahr.com

Jennifer Moher – www.jennifermoher.com

Jennifer Perkins – www.instagram.com/griffithimaging

Joab Woodger-Smith – www.joabsmithphotography.co.uk

Kaila AND COMPANY – HTTPS://KAILAANDCOMPANY.COM

Kate Whyte – www.instagram.com/katewhytephoto

Kimberly Orrison – www.kindhoneyphotography.com

Lauren Laveria – www.laurenritaphotography.com

Lena Gill – www.facebook.com/teachergill

Leslie Thomas Schoen – www.leslieschoen.smugmug.com

Leslie VanDyke – www.leslievandykephotography.com

A small break here. In the meantime, head over to our Meridian website. Find the perfect preset set for your portrait images!

For more portrait photography inspiration, check out these 33 inspiring images you will love, these breathtaking black and white portraits, or these 191 most outstanding portrait images of 2020.

Lexy Parks – www.lexyparksphotography.com

Magdalena Tavares – www.instagram.com/madalenatavares

Marco Bernardi – www.marcobernardiphotography.com

Maxim Schumacher – www.MaximSchumacher.com

Megan Loeks – www.instagram/meg_nlo

Megan Scott – www.facebook.com/MeganScottPhotography

Melissa Rey – www.melissareyphoto.com

Mika Rascon – www.thegreatestwonders.com

Missie Collins Lafrenz – www.missielafrenzphotography.com

Use the light

In fact, we all know that light, in general, is the most important thing. We have to think about it all the time as a photographer. We also made a blog post about Studio Photography images a few weeks ago. But today we would like to focus on natural lighting conditions. You can use this light perfectly for creating epic portrait images as well. Imagine how sunbeams that breakthrough between the trees. They start to surround the person you are photographing with beautiful light. Or think about how the light is shining through a window. It only highlights a particular part of the face for example. Super cool! There are multiple choices for you to create stunning and jaw-dropping pictures.

Natalie Thomas – www.nataliethomasphotography.com

Noam Shoval – www.happydayswed.com

Olga Levien – www.olgalevien.com

Pablo Beglez – www.pablobeglez.com

Paige Keeton – www.harpergreyphotoco.com

Pedro Lopes – www.pedrolopes.photo

Rebecca Searle – www.rebeccacantrelle.com

Rebecca Searle – www.rebeccasearlephotography.co.uk

Robyn Marika Chubey – www.helloglow.ca

Sarah Greene – www.sarahormiston.com

Shannon O’Malley – www.shannonkathleenphotography.com

Backgrounds

Backgrounds can have a huge impact on the effect of your photo. On the one hand, we love to shoot in front of epic backgrounds. But on the other hand, there is truly more out there. Once you start creating portrait images, take a look at your surroundings. It can be simple or colorful walls on the street. Also, a beautiful door in the backyard or the patio in front of your house might be dope. Even your local supermarket store can be a cool thing. So, you should always look out for a spot with settings you would love to have in the background.

Shelby Rae Robinson – www.thistlewoodphoto.com

Sufia Huq – www.sufiahuqportraits.com

Syd and Dana Takeshta – www.londonlightphotography.com

Tabitha Jackson – www.tabithajackson.com

Trent Robinson – www.joeandthebear.com

Wojtek Piatek – www.wojtekpiatek.com

If you are currently looking for a photographer, here’s the deal. Check out our “Photographers Near Me” list to find the perfect photographer with your preferred style! Head over and also check out our shortlist for the best Portrait Photographer California for example.

For more portrait photography inspiration, check out these 58 portrait photos by the best photographers of 2020,  this collection of 52 back and white portraits, the best look in my eye portraits, a collection of the best portraits in 2020, or these 115 incredible portraits that will amaze you.

So, we hope you like our best portrait images of 2018. Are you a photographer? Also, did you hear about our new listing service eventually?

Sign up as a LLF Pro Member now and get listed immediately!

Therefore, LOOKSLIKEFILM is your most important daily inspiration when it comes to photography. Created by our amazing artists from all over the world!  You should probably check out our Facebook group and our Instagram feed above all.  Besides that, you can give us a follow on Pinterest as well.

THIS BLOG POST ABOUT BREASTFEEDING PHOTOS WAS CREATED BY:
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER – MATTHIAS JAWORSKI

The post Our Very Best 63 Portrait Images On LLF From Last Year! appeared first on LOOKSLIKEFILM.

Studio Photography //  Every single one of us got in touch with Portrait Photography at some point in life. Some of us are the ones who are standing behind the camera and create these portrait shots for others. But every one of us was in the situation to be the subject in front of a camera and got a portrait image taken. Maybe in the kindergarten, High School, College or in a studio in your hometown because you were in the need of a photo for the driving license or passport. It seems like there are plenty of opportunities in life to get a portrait photo taken.

But it is not always about the official occasions. Sometimes you just want to have a simple moment of silence captured. A certain part in your life you are currently going through and you might know that it won’t last forever. That is the reason why you want pictures of you to be taken. You just want to have something you can look back at and be able to remember situations & feelings you have connected with your image.

Unfortunately, a lot of people are not happy with their images. Most of them are saying that their images look boring and posed in a way they didn’t feel comfortable with. This is the reason why we have created this blog post. We want to show you 18 absolutely stunning Studio Photography images that artists from our community created. When you look at these images you will see the emotions and might even feel the stories of the person you are looking at. It’s all about the personality and this is what makes a portrait special for the viewer but way more important – unique and special to the person in front of the camera.

If you are looking for a portrait photographer, you can also head over and check out one of our shortlists like Portrait Photographer California

aga fojudzka – www.agafojudzka.pl

Jan Hammerstad – www.hammerstadphotography.com

Martin Krystynek – www.martinkrystynek.com

Miguel Emmanuelli – www.miguelfornow.com

Paulina Duczman – www.paulinaduczman.com

Christine Jordan – www.christinejordanphotography.com

Marcela Cerbon – www.marcecerbon.com

Matt Ritscher – www.newhopephotography.com

Anne Hoffmann – www.herzmenschfotografie.com

Kate Whyte – www.katewhyte.com

Rachel Rodgers – www.instagram.com/rachelrodgersphotography

Mike Colletta – www.mikecollettaimages.com

Anna Davey May – www.annamayphotography.com

Tawni Nicole Tran – www.instagram.com/tawni.nicole

Lindsay Saunders – www.forestandfieldphoto.com

Miguel Emmanuelli – www.miguelfornow.com

Martin Krystynek – www.martinkrystynek.com

Paulina Duczman – www.paulinaduczman.com

LOOKSLIKEFILM is also your daily inspiration when it comes to photography created by our amazing artists from all over the world!  You should probably check out our Facebook group and our Instagram feed.  Besides that, you can give us a follow on Pinterest as well.

The post 18 Amazing Studio Photography Images You Are Going To Love appeared first on LOOKSLIKEFILM.

Unique Portraits // Do you know that weird feeling when someone is looking at you and you simply can not look away?. We feel exactly the same way about the 29 images that you can see when you scroll down. Whether its children, grown-ups or even animals, these unique portraits have been selected from our Facebook group during our latest weekly challenge. The task was to submit an image of somebody or something that is looking straight into the camera, breaking the fourth wall and catching our attention right away. If you want to be featured in one of our future blog posts, be sure to be part of our next challenge. Just keep your eyes open to the announcements in our group every single week.

If you want to take it one step further, just submit an image to our “Image of the year” contest that is currently running up until December 31st. It’s free to enter and you can win some big stuff! Be sure to check it out here

Enough of the words now. Enjoy all of the amazing, creative and unique portraits that our community was able to capture. You guys rock!!!

Winning Image by Regina Moneypenny

Regina Moneypenny – www.reginamoneypennyphotography.com

Alexa Marquis – www.oakwoodphotovideo.com

Alice Louise – www.alittlepicture.com

Amanda Cyrus – www.instagram.com/amandacyrusphotography

Amber Talbert – www.instagram.com/ambertalbertphotography

Angie Rethwisch – www.instagram.com/angelarethwisch

Ashley O’Connell – www.facebook.com/documentnowphotography

Béatrice De Guigné – www.the-quirky.com

Brittany DeJesus – www.brittanydejesus.com

Chantal Elise Roeske – www.facebook.com/ChantalElisePhotography

Cindy Knight

Emma Jane – www.littlelovephotography.co.uk

Heather Marie Marshall – www.hmarshallphoto.com

Emma Jane – www.littlelovephotography.co.uk

Jade Lyf – www.lyfisgrand.com

Jennifer Larson – www.jenniferlarsonphotography.ca

Jill Promoli – www.jillpromoli.com

Joan Arpaia – www.joanmariephotography.com

Julia Rabkin – www.juliarabkin.love

Kev Cardenas

Megan Loeks – www.megloeks.com

Meredith Minor – www.facebook.com/mmmlifestylephotography

Natalia Naa

Paige Kleckner – www.paigeklecknerphoto.com

Patricia Danielle Shetty – www.patriciashetty.com

Paulina Duczman – www.instagram.com/paulinaduczman

Piotrek Ziolkowski – www.piotrekziolkowski.com

Shelley Reis – www.instagram.com/Mycapturedlife_photoblog

Vicki Moyer – www.garnetdahlia.com

Did you fall in love with these awesome unique portraits which our LOOKSLIKFEFILM members have created? If you don’t want to miss such beautiful and creative images in the future, you should probably check out our blog and the Facebook group regularly. Besides that, you can follow us on Instagram as well. LOOKSLIKEFILM is your daily inspiration when it comes to photography created by amazing artists from all over the world!

Are you a portrait photographer? Did you hear about our new listing service? Our listing for “Portrait Photographer California” for example. Its ranked #1 on google and guarantees that you will be seen for a highly used search term.

Sign up as a LLF Pro Member now and get listed!

The post 29 Unique Portraits That Are Simply Mesmerizing appeared first on LOOKSLIKEFILM.

2018 is running so fast, so today you’ll already get the third feature of our LOOKSLIKEFILM Artist of the Month. Please stand up for Yaky Di Roma O’Reilly! It was definitely time to feature her work here on our blog. Her beautiful images are not only blowing our minds constantly away but also the ones of our LLF community. Yaky’s images are full of love & tension and we simply love her creativity. You can be sure to see more of her work throughout the year in our Daily Updates and the #LLF1000CLUB…

How old are you and where are you from?

My name is Yaky Di Roma O’Reilly, I’m 30 years old and originally from a small island called Margarita in Venezuela.
I’ve been based out of Orlando/Miami for the past 3 years after leaving my home country, for University, where I would gain my masters in arts. Currently in the process of settling in the UK.

Tell us a little bit about your life in the moment?

Recently got married to a fellow LLF photographer, currently in Madrid, Spain. When I’m not being a full time mom to my son, I’m either doing self portraits or trying to photograph my clients.

How did you end up being a photographer?

My passion for photography began to blossom when I was 19 by “mistake”, I was in second/third semester in college and had 3 extra credits and decided to take photography just to get it out of the way, little did I know that my future would depend on that class I just wanted to pass.

I’d had past experience in Fashion Photography, and actually made a pretty good name in Venezuela. It didn’t take me long to realise fashion wouldn’t become my niche… It was the Wedding and Portrait game that consumed me. I couldn’t get enough. Especially Self portraits… Breastfeeding Self Portraits, where my heart is.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In 20 years I see myself shooting weddings and portraits all over the world, with my husband and our three children being part of the team.

What gear are you currently using?

Currently me and my husband are in a battle about switching brands. I shoot both Canon and Nikon, but mainly I use a Canon 6d with 35mm 1.8 and a 90mm Tamron 2.8 along with a Nikon D810 with the 35mm 1.4 art and the 135mm 1.8 art… I also have a Mavic Air which recently switched from the Phantom 4 pro mainly for portability. Very rarely will I use flash. Only if absolutely necessary or I’m shooting in home studio portraits.

What advice could you give out to a new starting photographer?

Try to find your style early, photograph what you love and don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t let cc offend you, take it and get better. Some people will tell you that your ideas suck, don’t listen to them, just prove them wrong.

Did the LLF community changed the way you see or shoot ?

Definitely, 100%. Before LLF my work was a lot lighter and clean and I’ve found myself loving darker images and tons of grain. This is such an inspirational group, I joined in September 2017 and the talent I’ve seen in this short period of time has pushed me to create more art and less commercial work. I’m still in shocked I was asked to be Artist of the month, because the photographers in this group are in another league, really mind blowing and I feel extremely honoured.

What plans do you have for 2018?

Survive… I plan to Survive 2018! My husband and I have many destination weddings along with even more local weddings… This is without caring for our 3 children, and building a home in South Wales, UK. Whatever else I achieve is a bonus.

The post Yaky Di Roma O’Reilly appeared first on LOOKSLIKEFILM.

It’s the last week of July and we are proud to present you the amazing work of our latest Artist of the Month – Molly Gilholm. Beside the awesome weddings she is usually shooting, she is an absolutely mastermind in creating stunning and unique portraits. We are happy to show you her latest images and to welcome her in a few weeks back at this year’s CHOO CHOO Camp in Seattle.

How old are you and where are you from?

I am 24 years old, and was born in Santa Cruz, California. I haven’t left- I think it’s the best place on earth!

Tell us a little bit about your life in the moment?

I am currently shooting about 30 weddings per year, while also trying to focus on and build my beauty/portrait/fashion portfolio. I recently opened a community photo studio/creative space, Opal Creative, where we have been hosting craft classes, and renting it out to other photographers. It’s been quite the ride so far, but having my own space to shoot studio work in has been incredible for my growth.

How did you end up being a photographer?

It sounds tacky, but as long as I can remember I have loved taking photos. My first paid portrait session and elopement were both in High School, and I haven’t really considered doing anything else yet!

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

I hope to be self employed in one way or another- while photography is a passion of mine, I don’t think it’s necessarily the thing I will be doing forever. I have lots of interests in the design and crafting worlds, and could very easily imagine delving a bit more into that. I think I would always want to incorporate photography into my life somehow though!

What gear are you currently using?

I use Nikon D750s. I love them so much, and will only upgrade when something insanely better pops up. For weddings, I use my 58mm 1.4 lens almost exclusively, and also use my Sigma 35mm 1.4 and Nikon 85mm 1.8 quite a bit on the wedding day as well.

For my studio/beauty work I tend to use my Sigma 105mm Macro lens. I use AlienBees for my studio strobes- they are a great value and super reliable! I love Cactus brand triggers. They are SUPER cheap, but well made, and the packaging is cute (always a plus!)

What advice could you give out to a new starting photographer?

I would advise trying to play around with as many different lenses as possible. Like many people, I got hung up on one focal length (35mm 1.4 of course) for a LONG time. It took lots of practice, review, and time to realize that this is not a flattering portrait lens, no matter what anyone says in facebook groups, it’s just not. It has a place, of course, but my passion is photographing beautiful portraits- both on wedding days, and of models.

So now I switch around lenses like it’s nobodies business. In the same vein, don’t be afraid to try out different apertures/shutter speeds! I also thought wide open must be best (don’t we all want bokeh!?) but then I realized not only was I shorting my clients of crisp photos, I was missing out on being able to shoot in so many different lighting conditions! Bring on the harsh sun! In my studio work I am usually at f/8ish!

Did the LLF community changed the way you see or shoot couples/portraits/weddings etc.?

The LLF community is both inspiring in a positive way, and sometimes in a bad way- because people are SO dang good. It’s really made me realize that moments and emotion are more important than having super stoic, hipster, couples- because if you look through the #LLF1000CLUB- Guess what, the majority of photos are well received because they make you FEEL. I have tried to bring this to both weddings and portrait work!

What plans do you have for this year?

I am hoping to continue building my beauty portfolio. It’s something I have found I REALLY love- the lighting, the retouching, everything. It took me awhile to get to the point of committing to going that direction, because to be totally honest, it’s not the kind of work you see in your average social media feed. It’s kind of a whole new world, new social media circles, which is kind of scary/exciting.

I love it because it’s such a collaboration with your team, from the stylists, to the HMUA, to the model, to the retoucher. It’s also another avenue other than weddings I could see myself actually making money at, (a rarity in the art world) and it combines my two favorite things: being able to be a control freak (which I lose on wedding days) and photographing women’s faces. Win/win!

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Meet Bob Sala. You might have come across his work – cinematic 60s-70s ambient stills that remind you of your mother’s childhood (or for some, your own). His (portrait) images go beyond making a fashion statement on a particular era; they tell a story of society and culture. It feels like this Bob guy is more than just a photographer; he’s an image maker – kind of like a director with a movie set. Bob is the alter-ego of Marvin Kleinemeier – a stage name and character adopted by Marvin – his ‘nom de plume’. I had the pleasure of interviewing Marvin, and finding out more about the concept of Bob Sala, Marvin’s motivation and the choices he made heading down this direction.  

Editor’s Note: This post is a special release aligned with the opening of Vogue Italia’s first Photo Vogue Festival, 22-26 November 2016, Milan.) Some of the images in this post contains nudity.

1. On your website, your Bio says “Stuck between 1963 and 1974, Bob Sala tries to photograph his way out of time and space. ‘The grain in a photograph produces the same warm feeling in me, a needle produces on an old Led Zeppelin record’, he says.” A lot of photographers basically create a business and website, and photograph just about anyone and everyone willing. But you have a direction going.  How did you come up with this pseudo concept of a character called Bob Sala?

There are a few things that led to “Bob Sala”. In the end it was perhaps just the moment when I learned to completely give up thinking about my camera, art history, concepts and maybe even photography in general. Coming from a literature background and of studies in liberal arts, I always felt I was trying too hard – with everything. But at some point I just started letting loose. And with “loose” I mean blurting out everything that’s inside of me, not giving a shit about the reception of people looking at my stuff but especially not caring about what I myself would think about it. I found pleasure in the mere act of creating again. I started Looking for like-minded models and tried to make my shoots little 60s happenings.

Creating the alter ego “Bob Sala” also came during the process of completely freeing myself from all of my self-inducted restrictions. Bob is a side character in a novel named “The Rum Diary” by Hunter S. Thompson, an author that deeply influenced me. It’s my little homage to this man now. “Bob Sala” is me and he is not me. It’s been a while now since I started talking about him in third person. He has kind of gotten a life of his own. Maybe he is my Ruby Sparks sometimes.

2. Why the mid-60s to mid-70s era – what attracts you to it?

That was already the center of my studies in my twenties. 60s and 70s counterculture is what fuels me the most. The books, the music, the style. It starts with Sam Cooke’s Live Album at the Harlem Square Club in 1963 I guess. Of course there were the beatniks before, but Kerouac and his hobo-crew were so far ahead of their time for me that I feel they belong to the 60s just as much. And it maybe ends with Patti Smith, The Clash etc. and the upcoming punk era around New York’s CBGB OMFUG at the end of the 70’s. That’s a world I am diving into at the moment. Trying some more edgy things next Spring.

3. Before the concept of Bob Sala, what did you do? Describe the path to Bob Sala.

I spent my twenties trying to become a novelist. Or a poet. I wanted to write. Which was kind of frustrating in the end. I don’t have the endurance for a real novel. Or maybe not yet. When I was 28 I gave up on that and just worked for 2 years in a non-creative field. It nearly killed me. I have the romantic notion of me being an artist. I always feel like Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe during their time in the Chelsea Hotel. Just making art and somehow getting by. And silencing that ambition in me really led to a breakdown at the age of 30. Then came photography and saved my life.

4. What does a typical Bob Sala session involve?

Usually a lot of talking before the shooting. Getting to know each other and finding similar interests. Books, music, movies. And the session itself needs time. It’s more like hanging out, listening to music, drinking coffee and – if it works out – having mind bending conversations. I call it finding the wave that we can ride together. It’s all about flow, inspiration and a lot of trust.

5. Have you had mentors along the way?

I would see Hunter as a mentor. His collection of letters “The Proud Highway” is my personal bible. When I come to a point where I need to make heavy decisions, I always read one or to of his letters and have the feeling that I can do anything, if he did this or did that under those circumstances. During my literature studies I had a course that was held by German novelist and Theatre director Werner Fritsch. His approach to his art deeply impressed me. Speaking of photography I once met Alberto Garcia Alix in Frankfurt for a 3-day workshop. The only one I have ever been to. “A photograph is a gift for myself in time.” That’s one sentence I wrote down after one of the days. You should have a look at his work.

6. Are you creatively satisfied?

My stuff is what it is and it reflects my state of mind at a certain moment of my life. I don’t have a real feeling about it’s quality. Two years ago I crossed the line that I am not embarrassed by my pictures anymore like 1 month after I take them. I need to be happy with the life I am living. And at the moment it is full of beautiful creative people that are flying under the radar with me. It feels more creative than ever.  

7. If you had your way, what project would you like to work on? Who would you like to photograph?

One of the first sparks that lit the Bob Sala thing was the story of Josh Tilmann. He released some folk albums that were pretty good but only when he went into the Californian outskirts with a bag of mushrooms and his van and came back as Father John Misty some weeks later, that his art really began to shine. So going on tour with Misty would be a dream, although he probably might be a dick sometimes, when you look at his interviews.

But to be honest, I am sitting in a plane to Australia right now as I’m writing this. Over the course of the next 7 days (I will headline the ”Racquet Road Trip“ along the east coast for the driven and talented people at Australian ”Racquet Studio“  There are so many people involved in this that I love. Young film photographer Sam Lebib for example. We will be shooting for some big brands and all I am asked to do is exactly follow my own style with this. I can’t really think of a better project at the moment.

8. Do you shoot with your left or right eye?

Left.

9. What’s the story behind this image: 

Through some fortunate circumstances I had the chance to spent an evening with Neal Preston. Neal was the tour photographer of Led Zeppelin in the 70s. One of his best friends is Cameron Crowe, a movie director I love. The story of the movie “Almost Famous” is basically the story of Neal and Cameron and how they were on tour with bands in the 70’s. This evening with Neal meant a lot to me. He was also the photographer who shot the cover for the DVD of “Almost Famous”. And that inspired my early Bob Sala work a lot. He told me the story of how he and and Kate Hudson made that picture spontaneously between takes. This image will be forever connected to one of my most precious memories.

(Read more on Bob’s blog.)

10. If you were to start all over again, is there anything you would do differently? Why?

Nothing. I love all my good and bad experiences.

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Milan based photojournalist Vittore Buzzi is one of those rare talents who has it all – he has a doctorate in Business Administration, he studied photography and worked as a journalist. His photography is fuelled by the search to understand and accept reality – which translates into an exceptional eye for capturing moments and stories.

At the 2013, 56th World Press Photo competition his image ‘Thut Ti Gym’ was one of the few selected from 103,481 photos made by 5,666 photographers from 124 different countries. He also accepts commission work for weddings.

With this interview, we feature documentary images from his series ‘Every Picture of Africana is a metaphor…‘, taken between December 2015 and April 2016 in Benin, Togo and Central African Republic.  

Artist’s statement: This series is about a continent looking for identity and dignity, a continent raped by everybody.

1. What do making images mean to you?

I am a storyteller, I like to use reality to tell stories that I have in my mind. I travel a lot and I meet a lot of interesting, intriguing and very different people and they give me a little piece of their lives… I am everyday richer, not in money of course, but in positive energy and experience. Taking pictures gives me the opportunity to live an intense life and to collect some moments and looking at my pictures I can think about them…

2. What is life to you? What it should be?

Life is one way ticket and I try to live a happy and full of love life. I am lucky I can choose. I have one very big client that trusts me and makes me work as photojournalist and on the other side I shoot weddings that are a very beautiful stories to be told.

3. There are a lot of professions out there – why be a photographer? 

I am a doctor in business administration and I studied photography and I worked as a journalist… I found out that taking pictures and telling stories that I love makes me happy. I hope that my work will be a trigger for someone else to try to understand, to become a better person… A photographer is someone who searches… searches to accept, searches to understand…

4. How much is your family an influence on the way you view life, see things?

I need to be quiet. I really need the people that I love to be fine. When I travel, sometimes, I stay out of Italy for 50 or 60 days so I need that my daughter, my fiancée and my ex wife can understand what I am doing. Sometimes my daughter misses me so I always cut out 2 weeks every year to stay with her.

5. Are you creativity satisfied at the moment?

I am the kind of guy who is never satisfied while I am working. Satisfaction comes when I am editing and I start to think ofs all the amazing moment that I have crossed in my life.

6. What are you reading now?

“Where I’m Calling From: New & Selected Stories” by Raymond Carver, I love his suspended stories they are like pictures, a beginning of something…

7. Have you had any mentors along the way?

I have friends not mentors, people that shared with me a piece of my path and that helped me to be a better person not only a photographer.

8. Is/Are there any project(s) you wish you could do – or might do?

Well I would like to have enough time and a sponsor to prepare some books about my long term projects.

9.  Do you shoot with your left or right eye?

Right eye.

10. If you were to start all over again, is there anything you would do differently? Why?

No. I have a very long path and it has helped me to build my unique way of thinking and seeing…  

Bonus Q: Do you think the gear you use affects the way you photograph? Why? 

Yes of course. Equipment for me is just tools that I use to shape my vision.  I am not a gear addicted. I used for a long time an M43 with primes. Right now I am using a full frame Sony with three lenses: 28 mm, 35 mm and 55 mm. I shoot mainly digital, sometimes film, the only thing that I did not change during the digital age is Lightroom, my DAM and editing tools. I started with analog photography and I obviously like this kind of taste. I have modified some VSCO presets and I use them, sometimes I add a little bit of “Exposure”.

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